Preparations couldn’t be better with a hot cup of coffee for the
entire team at the clubhouse on a warm sunny December day. The
conditions were tremendous so that even 4 amigos joined to make a
courtesy call to the capital. From previous results and team-meetings
held earlier in the week the focus has been on the strong offensive
play performed by the Athletics and this confidence was clearly visible
in the first half and in the preparations where nobody mentioned the
previous defeat by 57-0. Instead the young Athletic Captain pointed out
the fact that Amsterdam has a lot of old players and that the Athletics
could take them by condition. Already from kick-off the Athletics showed
Amsterdam that a walkover from earlier in the season was out of the
question. With a powerful pact scrums were won and meters taken.
Stefan with some dangerous outbreaks seriously solicited for a
promotion to the second team and by line-outs won the Athletics forced
Amsterdam to kneel. And as many opponents before them have
acknowledged, it is difficult to stand up after a “Big Jake” dive for
the first try. With another try between the posts and a successful
conversion from Job the Athletics were ahead with 12-0 in half time. A
first half where the Athletics had most possession and Amsterdam showed
no dangerous combination. The second half was definitely more equal
and the DIOK three-quarters had to pull the emergency brake on several
occasions. But even with 13 DIOK men after 2 quick yellow cards (how
could anyone misinterpret Diego’s beautiful smile as disrespect????)
Amsterdam couldn’t take the advantage and DIOK still superior in the
scrum. Both teams created chances with Piers and Diego on a superb
individual run but Amsterdam did score resulting in a nervous last 10
minutes of the game. In the final minutes Amsterdam broke loose from
the middle-line what appeared to be a certain try between the posts to
equal the score but Athletic winger had other plans. Real happiness and
many Athletic hugs after the final whistle for the fourth time this season
and 4 important points taken on this hot sunny December day in
Amsterdam. The Athletics want to thank Rob, Stefan, Fer and Ramos for
their support.